Metal Injection has made a point to document Yungblud‘s relationship with the beloved Ozzy Osbourne. And it helps kind of explain Yungblud, legal name Dominic Harrison, was chosen to do the cover of “Changes.” As many people noted, it felt like the passing of the torch, regardless of whether or not Yungblud‘s music were people’s cup of tea. And after the video of Yungblud gifting Ozzy his cross necklace back went viral, people had very little idea as to the relationship Ozzy had with Yungblud.
It started in 2022, when Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne starred in Yungblud‘s music video for his track, “The Funeral.” Since then, Ozzy took Harrison under his wing, offering him mentorship, as Sharon also provided career advice. A strong bond formed between the Osbournes and Yungblud over the last three years, with Yungblud even sitting down to be quizzed by Sharon and Kelly Osbourne, with the two of them stating that Harrison‘s answers were “just like Dad,” and “Ozzy is the same.”
And so, when Yungblud posted a beautiful tribute to Ozzy on Instagram, it was to be expected that it would take some time for Harrison to be willing to speak about the Prince of Darkness. Harrison‘s original tribute to Ozzy Osbourne was posted to Instagram, a video of him performing “Changes,” with the caption:
“I’m trying to compute the last couple days and honestly I’m absolutely fucking shattered.
You have been my North Star for everything for as long as I can remember from when I was misunderstood as a child to the way people thought I was just a little “too much” or “strange” in my life and career.
I owe so much to you, your wife and your family – you all gave me a road to run down and supported me when people would turn their nose up.
You loved life so much and you adored music. It was your smile man. You taught me it was beautiful to be out of the box.
I promise you with all my heart I will try my best and make it my life’s journey to keep the sprit that you started and what you have taught me alive. I will give it my best shot.
To sing this song for you at an event surrounded by legends inspired by you to a crowd that loved you was truly my life’s greatest honour and I vow to play this song every night for the rest of my life.
You’re my hero in every regard. I hope you’re up there avin a drink with Randy.
For the prince of darkness you sure brought all the light to the world. I love you Ozzy.”
However, when speaking to NME about launching his brand new store, “b.r.a.t.” that hosts live performances, tarot readings, the ability to grab coffee or a beer, buy some clothes, play pool, go to therapy, and so much more – Harrison was asked about the Black Sabbath frontman.
“I haven’t really spoken about Ozzy, so it’s weird, you know. I mean, I think like that’s the first time I’ve kind of been asked about him.
I think Ozzy was always my north star. It was really Ozzy Osbourne and David Bowie [that] meant everything to me. I think Ozzy was a character in my life that was such a reflection of everything I went through. I was always a bit over the top, I was always seen to be a bit crazy, I was always seen to be a bit loud, but when kind of some people saw that as a negative, Ozzy would provide me this hope that there was an avenue for someone like me in the world.
“So, I think from such a young age, he really inspired me. Then, to know him as a friend towards the end, to know his heart, and to really know Sharon [Osbourne] as well… understand that they made things their way and they did things their way. It’s always been inspirational because, for me, the biggest enemy to any artist or anything is, ‘This is just how it’s done’. It’s a cop out. ‘This is how it’s done’ was once an innovative idea that got stale.
“And all I care about are the people outside, and I want to make this the most magical adventure for them, and something that we’re gonna have together. Because we only have it once and I think [Ozzy’s death] is still raw at the minute. It’s been a very weird couple of weeks. But I think is losing someone I admired and got to know towards the end really made me think about the idea of legacy and connection with people. All that matters is the connection with them.”
Yungblud embarks on a world tour in the coming weeks, hitting the US first before heading to Europe in the later half of the year. He has also announced dates in the UK for next year. You can find the full list of dates below, and tickets here.
8/23 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium
8/24 – San Diego, CA @ The Observatory North Park
8/26 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Union
8/28 – Denver, CO @ The Mission Ballroom
8/30 – Austin, TX @ ACL Live at The Moody Center
8/31 – Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
9/2 – Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle
9/6 – Washington DC @ 9:30 Club
9/9 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave, Eagles Ballroom
9/10 – Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore
9/12 – Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theatre
9/14 – Cleveland, OH @ Agora Theatre and Ballroom
9/16 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Paramount
9/18 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Fillmore
9/19 – Boston, MA @ Roadrunner
9/21 – Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall
10/4 – Amsterdam, NL @ AFAS LIVE
10/5 – Brussels, BE @ VORST NATIONAAL/FOREST NATIONAL
10/7 – Dusseldorf, DE @ Mitsubishi Electric HALLE
10/8 – Paris, FR @ ADIDAS ARENA
10/9 – Saint Herblain, FR @ ZENITH NANTES METROPOLE
10/11 – Madrid, ES @ Palacio Vistalegre
10/14 – Munich, DE @ Zenith
10/15 – Zurich, CH @ Halle 622
10/17 – Prague, CZ @ Sportovní hala Fortuna (Tipsport Arena)
10/18 – Warsaw, PL @ COS Torwar
10/20 – Berlin, DE @ Uber Eats Music Hall
10/22 – Esch-sur-Alzette, LU @ Rokhal Box
10/24 – Copenhagen, DK @ KB Hallen
10/25 – Stockholm, SE @ Annexet
10/27 – Hamburg, DE @ Sporthalle Hamburg
10/29 – Vienna, AT @ Wiener Stadthalle – Halle D
10/31 – Bergamo, IT @ ChorusLife Arena
